And the much delayed post is finally here. I have been resting for the past three weeks of school as I did not manage to have a proper break last winter. Of course that comes with a price; I'm already lagging behind for several modules.
But anyway, it was really hard deciding on my modules this semester. One reason was that I had wanted to take two level-4000 EC modules but unfortunately, the modules offered this time round aren't exactly interesting. So the initial plan was two EC, two ST, SS and my last GEM. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it has become one EC, three ST and one SS which also means I have cleared the requirements for my second major. Well, I shall go into the details of my module selection now.
But anyway, it was really hard deciding on my modules this semester. One reason was that I had wanted to take two level-4000 EC modules but unfortunately, the modules offered this time round aren't exactly interesting. So the initial plan was two EC, two ST, SS and my last GEM. However, due to unforeseen circumstances, it has become one EC, three ST and one SS which also means I have cleared the requirements for my second major. Well, I shall go into the details of my module selection now.
1. EC4332 Money and Banking II
For some reason, having taken EC4102 makes this module slightly less interesting than I had imagined it to be. Nonetheless, this was one of the must-take modules for me. Probably it's just that the content now is somewhat similar to that covered in EC4102 so I'm feeling a little "unsurprised". This is not to say that the module is easy. In fact, I think if anyone finds EC4102 hard, the next thing he or she should be doing is to avoid this module at all costs, or at least if it's taken by Martin Bodenstein. Apparently, EC4332 under Park Jungjae is peanuts which thus explains the excessive demand last semester. On the other hand, the same module is definitely under-enrolled when Martin Bodenstein takes it, like in this semester. Anyway, as predicted, EC3332 is of zero help to EC4332 and I mean zero. But I really like it how this module can provide me with the insights to the models used by monetary authorities and how monetary policy plays a role within the general equilibrium theory so I am really looking forward to the topics after Week 7.
By the way, I had wanted to take EC4880 but thank goodness I realized that the finals is qualitative-based and that's a big no-no.
2. ST3239 Survey Methodology
This was one module that I had only decided to take at the eleventh hour. By that, I really mean one day before Round 1A starts or something. And I spent a freaking 1.4k on this module, the most I have ever spent. Oh well, but what's the use of keeping so much points anyway.
So it was between this or ST3241 Categorical Data Analysis I. I have looked through the content for both modules repeatedly and I finally decided to prioritize my interest and grades a little bit more than usefulness. I mean I am not going to conduct surveys ever in my life or at least few professions require knowledge in this field whereas on the other hand, ST3241 is more applicable in the sense that categorical data is quite commonly seen in databases, research papers, etc. But, looking at the difficulty of ST3241 tells me it's not gonna be a wise choice in addition to the extremely steep bell curve.
If not for the lack of EC modules to choose from, I would have waited till Year 4 Sem 1 to take ST3233 Applied Time Series Analysis instead of ST3239 as ST3233 is only offered in Semester 1. But I have to say that the way this course is conducted is in many ways similar to ST2132 so I am sort of gradually leaning towards this module.
3. ST3242 Introduction to Survival Analysis
Again, this was another module that I decided ok maybe not at the eleventh hour but "seventh hour"? And it was largely due to the difficulty level of this module. Or rather for my standards, this module will prove to be a challenge. However, I came to realize the usefulness of this module and how it can be applied to many situations and hence, I decided not to have so many reservations and just do it.
4. ST3247 Simulation
This is definitely a module that I foresee myself having a lot of difficulties with but it's also the module that I have firmly decided on from the very beginning. In fact, if I hadn't chosen this module, there will be many GEM for me to choose from as this module is the one causing all the clashes. But this is really one useful module so I placed it plus EC4332 on top of my list and so modules that clash with these two just have to give way.
I had actually intended to take ST3244 Demographic Methods but obviously ST3247 is a better choice.
5. SSA2211 The Evolution of a Global-City State
Can I just skip this? Basically, I took this module firstly because yes, I need to fulfill the university requirements and secondly because I can S/U it. Simple as that. Oh and right, it fits into my timetable.
And so I dropped this module in Week 2 despite spending a bomb on it. Reason is very simple: reality did not meet expectations. I thought this module was gonna be a bit more scientific but heck, the questions include stuff like "Which university did Darwin attend?" and that is enough to put me off apart from the fact that it is apparently a must to attend lectures in order to take down all the important notes which will be tested for exams. All I can think of are my two remaining S/U options. And so asking me to attend lectures for a module that I am intending to S/U is nuts. I mean how do you expect me to attend lectures for a GEM when I don't even attend the lectures for my core modules?
And that's all for the updates.
Anyway, it does appear that my workload is a lot lighter compared to last semester. But really, it isn't any much lighter. Although it was reduced from 6 to 4 core modules, there isn't actually much of a difference. First, the core modules this semester are a lot harder. Second, they're also more time-consuming probably because there are assignments to be submitted every now and then for three out of the four modules. In addition, my RA prof has been assigning me with new tasks every week and most importantly, I will get started on my thesis preparation this semester as it's quite likely that I'll be doing it next semester instead of my last semester.
